Rockhampton business Manuplex to build new jobs with State Government grant

A Rockhampton business will add a new industry to the region and create more than a dozen new jobs thanks to a government grant. Here’s how they’re building business.

A Rockhampton manufacturing business will add a new industry to the beef capital, and help ease the strain on the building supplies shortage in the process.

Manuplex, which is a local manufacturing company in Rockhampton, received $500,000 through the State Government’s Queensland Manufacturing Hubs grants.

The grant has allowed the business to purchase four steel roll-forming machines which will see the company be able to make steel house frames and trusses to help meet the demand of the commercial and residential construction sector.

With the new machines will also be more work opportunities, with the funding to help the business create 16 new jobs and upskill current staff.

Managing director of Manuplex Matt Jurkic said the new machinery would also help their current and future projects.

“We’ve already employed five full-time employees with one machine and what that means is when the other three machines are here we’ll get our systems in place, and we’ve already got a very set customer base and the future is looking good,” he said.

Manuplex director Glen Donnellan said they were hoping to produce at least one house worth of frames and trusses a day.

“It will be a big ask but we’ve got the capable team to do it,” he said.

Mr Jurkic said they were also hoping to make things more sustainable for their customers.

“We don’t want to just keep raising prices around materials, so if we can do things in house and use the manufacturing hub and grants like this, we can create sustainability and pricing for our customers rather than just keep raising prices while all these global pressures are on us,” he said.

He said the new machines also supported other local businesses with Rockhampton-based electricians called in to fit the machinery and set up the software.

Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke said it was great to see more manufacturing coming into Central Queensland.

“Anything to do with the housing industry, I really want to see it progress as quickly as possible,” he said.

“As we know the housing market is extremely tight and we’re having lots off difficulties accessing materials, through this investment it will open the opportunity right up.”

Regional Development and Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher said manufacturing contributed $20 billion a year to the state’s economy.

“”The hubs are bringing together stakeholders to collaborate and grow regional manufacturing,” he said.

“Building local businesses, strengthening their capacity and capability help local economies by delivering good long-term, local jobs.

“Australian companies are increasingly looking to local manufacturers to step up and fill gaps exposed in supply chains, so it’s fantastic to see these manufacturing businesses in regional Queensland build and grow, to meet demand.”